Melbourne reached the half-way mark of the season with their most crucial victory over the year, over the side they were jostling for fourth place with. Carlton were out of form, having suffered a surprise loss to North Melbourne on the previous Saturday but were still a dangerous opponent.

The deciding factor was Melbourne's supremacy in the ruck and the middle of the ground, as well as the dominant performance by Jack Mueller who was credited with 14 marks in the last quarter.

Carlton threatened at times in the last quarter, but solid defensive work by Kinnear and Ogden kept them out.